OutReserve

Council Bluff Recreation Area

Beach on a sunny day.
LARGE SANDY BEACH WITH PLAY AREA
GROUP SHELTER AT BEACH
Beach on a sunny day.
Recently remodeled bathhouse.

About Council Bluff Recreation Area

The Council Bluff Recreation Area is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. The Wild Boar Campground and sheltered picnic area, available for individual families or large groups, is next to the largest lake in the Mark Twain National Forest. The area provides ample opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming and more.

Number of accommodations: 37

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed - Opens on Apr 23

Sites & Availability

37 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
001, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 003, Loop: COUN
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
003, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 005, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
005, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 007, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
007, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
009, Loop: L1WK
8 guests · Pet Friendly
$11.00
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: COUN
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: COUN
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 019, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 021, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 025, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 026, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 027, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 028, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 029, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 031, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 032D, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 033, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 034, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 035, Loop: L2SG
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 037, Loop: COUN
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 039, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 041, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 043, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 045, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$22.00
/ per night
🚐 A, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$0.00
/ per night
🚐 B, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$0.00
/ per night
🚐 C, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$0.00
/ per night
🚐 D, Loop: GRPA
No Hookups
$0.00
/ per night

Reviews (35)

What Guests Are Saying

Council Bluff Recreation Area offers beautiful, spacious camping sites with a peaceful, wooded atmosphere and proximity to a lovely lake for swimming and kayaking. However, visitors noted significant issues, including a lack of potable water, broken facilities, and an overwhelming tick population. While the area is well-suited for family camping, maintenance concerns and facility management detract from the overall experience.

Review Summary

3.6
35 reviews
5
37.1%
13
4
25.7%
9
3
14.3%
5
2
8.6%
3
1
14.3%
5

Maddie E

Verified

September 29, 2025 Stayed at: 030, Loop: L2SG

5

Currently No Potable water, but otherwise great sites, hiking and vault toilets.

Diane F

Verified

August 18, 2025 Stayed at: 030, Loop: L2SG

1

Horrid! All 50 water spigot broken for years. Even the outhouses were "out of order". Last maintenance was decades ago. All recreation spots were subcontracted to local Yahoo's to control usage and charge money for parking, usage, water, electric, food etc. MIS MANAGED

Alex R

Verified

July 20, 2025 Stayed at: 017, Loop: COUN

4

We enjoyed our time at Council Bluffs. Of note: There is no water at the campsite, but we were able to fill our water jugs at the beach area. Overall a beautiful place to camp with the family.

Carrie Z

Verified

July 7, 2025 Stayed at: 031, Loop: L2SG

3

Everything was great with the exception of no water being available and overflowing toilets.

Stacey M

Verified

July 5, 2025 Stayed at: D, Loop: GRPA

5

One of my favorite sites! Very spread out and away from others. BEAUTIFUL!!! Clean, quiet, green and awesome. Tables, grills, bathrooms, and a small covered table- prep area. Love that it is close to the lake. THE ONLY CON IS THAT THE BEACH DOESN'T OPEN UNTIL 11 AM. We were camping in a large group and the kids, and everyone, were so ready to hit the beach WAY BEFORE 11!!! Because of the late opening some decided not to wait and headed home. THE LAKE IS AMAZING!! True beach and swimming area and also kayaking and no wake fishing boats.

Daniel M

Verified

July 10, 2024 Stayed at: 009, Loop: L1WK

1

Our overall experience was poor because the area is infested with ticks (beyond reason) and the water was turned off. The actual campsite area is peaceful, wooded and private. Neighbors are far apart and one can barely hear vehicles. Plenty of flat space and shade to set tent. The site (#9) is about 75 yards away from parking location. I recommend having a wagon to transport gear back and forth. This location is beyond using Permethrin to kill ticks. It needs to be fumigated routinely to manage population. This might have been the reason why not a single soul was camping at the time, maybe a red flag? (I am new to KS/MO). Unfortunately, I would not return to this specific location for what I perceive as abandonment and/or neglect.

gary p

Verified

June 18, 2024 Stayed at: 019, Loop: L2SG

1

Don’t know what happened. The location from this site was confusing. Even the workers at council bluff didn’t recognise this site (019, L2SG COUNCIL BLUFF RECREATION). I went to site 19 and someone was already using it.

Sara D

Verified

October 8, 2023 Stayed at: 017, Loop: COUN

3

My only complaint was all of the water spigots were not working.

Melanie P

Verified

August 16, 2023 Stayed at: B, Loop: GRPA

3

We stayed at group site B. It said it accommodated 50, but it was pretty dang crowded with our 25. The website also said it had water. And they did have several spigots, but none were operational. We didn't bring enough water so we had to do a few runs into town for more.
It was a six minute drive to the lake. The lake was awesome though!
The campsite was pretty and not too crowded. We did run out of toilet paper in the bathrooms though and had to use some we luckily brought from home.
We aren't used to camping in paid campgrounds, so for as much as it didn't offer (mainly water and more space or picnic tables to accommodate big groups) it seemed pretty expensive. But it might be the best place around here! So we might go again anyway. And if you aren't used to camping in the western states the proximity to other campers might not bother you.

Charles T

Verified

August 1, 2023 Stayed at: 021, Loop: L2SG

4

Very nice campground . Sites are spaced far apart .

Location Council Bluff Recreation Area

Address:
State Hwy. Dd
Belgrade, MO, 63622
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 37.7083 / -90.9417

Elevation: 390 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Drinking water is not available in the campground from Nov. 1 to April 1.

General

Additional fees are collected for use of the boat ramp

General

Additional fees are charged for parking

General

Horses and off-road vehicles are prohibited in developed areas

General

Click Here for more information on the Mark Twain National Forest

General

Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

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